Shower receptor



1968 J. N. KAISER ETAL 3,353,267

SHOWER RECEPTOR Filed Oct. 23, 1964 5 SheecSSheet 1 3 A33 33 32 32A 32 35 $7 ;7)- 7" i 32 Q 22 3 22% FIG-2 FIG FIG.4

INVENTORS J OHN A. NOEL JACK N. KAISER Bg/A Z N EY J. N. KAISER ETAL 3,363,267

SHOWER RECEPTOR Jan. 16, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1964 "Ill INVENTORS J OHN A. NOE L JACK N K A l SER A ORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 J. N. KAISER ETAL 3,363,267

SHOWER RECEPTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 23, 1964 INVENTORS J OHN A NO E L J ACK N. KAISER BY 1 9 ATTO NEY United States Patent 3,363,267 SHOWER RECEPTOR Jack N. Kaiser, Louisville, Ky., and John A. Noel, Phoenix, Ariz., assignors to American Standard Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 406,022 11 Claims. (Cl. 4-146) This invention relates in general to a shower receptor and more specifically to an improved integrally formed shower receptor shell which is adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall.

Heretofore a considerable number of differently constructed shower receptors have been conceived in an effort to simplify shower stall installations and to reduce the initial cost thereof. Several of the prior known efforts are evidenced by U.S. Patent Nos. 2,025,814; 2,055,173; 2,197,874; 2,239,969; 2,292,368; 2,784,417; 2,809,280 and 2,836,830. However, a study of the prior art shower receptors will show that they are relatively complex in structure and initially quite costly. For these reasons the known shower receptors did not satisfactorily achieve the desired end results of lowering the manufacturing costs, easing the construction thereof or simplifying the installation of the same. Further some of the former constructions, as evidenced by US. Patents 2,055,173 and 2,836,830, were fabricated of concrete and covered with a floor surface of ceramic tile. As a result, such constructions were inherently heavy, bulky, difiicult to handle, and expensive to ship or freight. Other known shower receptors have been constructed of rigid enamelled iron or porcelain. These too were also inherently heavy, bulky and difficult to handle. In addition, shower receptors formed of enamelled iron or porcelain were easily damaged as by chipping or cracking, and these are generally not suitable for use with modern day building materials.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a reinforced shower receptor that is relatively simple to fabricate of relatively inexpensive material.

Another object is to provide an improved all plastic shower receptor construction that is attractive, light in weight, strong, durable and versatile in use.

Still another object is to provide an integrally molded shower receptor having a non-skid surface formed of simulated integrally molded tile-like construction.

Still another object is to provide a shower receptor constructed as an integrally molded unit with provisions for installing thereon ceramic tile whereby a more efficient use of material, time, labor and quality control may be achieved.

Still another object is to provide for an integrally constructed, all plastic, molded, shower receptor having a more durable skid-resistant floor surface.

Still another object is to provide an improved shower receptor that allows an installer the economic advantages of an all plastic receptor along with the ability to coordimate the receptor tiling with that of the bathroom walls and/ or floors.

A feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of eliminating the need of the herebefore recommended practice of testing for water-proofness of moisture membranes prior to installation of tiles.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and specifications in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an all plastic shower receptor of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the integrally formed, simulated tile construction taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged View of detail A taken on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlargment of detail B taken on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken along line 66 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a detail view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the shower receptor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a detail view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is another sectional detail view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the shower receptor taken along line 1i11 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 1212 on FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a modified form of shower receptor.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the shower receptor of FIG. 13 taken along line 14-14 thereon.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an embodiment of an improved shower receptor construction of the instant invention. It comprises an all plastic integrally molded shell which is preferably made by pre-mix molding method. That is, the several ingredicuts of a suitable plastic composition, from which the shell is to be made, are remotely mixed prior to the placement of the same into matched metal dies which define the mold of the finished shape. Heat and pressure are then applied to the material in the mold to effect the thermal setting of the binding resin in the composition causing the same to undergo a chemical change that fixes the eornposition'to the mold of the matched dies.

The construction of the shower receptor as evidenced in FIGS. 1 to 12 comprises a molded integral all-plastic shell 21 that includes a bottom wall 22 generally shaped to conform to the floor area of a given shower stall. In the illustrated embodiment the bottom wall 22 of the receptor is illustrated as being substantially rectangular or square in con-figuration. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 11 a generally upright splash wall 23 circumscribes the peripheral or marginal portion of the bottom Wall 22 to define the front 23A, rear 23B and interconnecting opposed side walls 23C of the shower receptor 20. The upper end of the splash wall 23 terminates in a laterally turned flange or ledge 24 that extends outwardly therefrom to define a ledge which circumscribes the shower receptor. The mar ginal end portions of the ledge 24 along the opposed sides and rear portions 23B, 23C of the shower receptor terminates in an upwardly extending lip 25 which is adapted to engage the wall portions of a shower stall (not shown).

As best seen in FIG. 11, the outer marginal edge of the ledge 24 extending along the front of the shower receptor terminates in a depending flange 26 arranged to extend to the floor level thereby defining a step which opens to the shower receptor 20. Thus the front of the shower receptor is not provided with the extending lip 25.

The receptor is supported on the floor of the shower stall by the downwardly extending support rib 28 and the downwardly extending support feet 28A which are integral with and which extend from the bottom surface of the bottom wall 22. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 27 are also integrally formed along the bottom surface of the bottom wall 20 as best shown in FIG. 8. The reinforcing ribs 27 extend transversely in both directions to form a geometric pattern which can most effectively reinforce the bottom wall of the shower receptor. It will be observed that the support ribs 28 and 28A extend lower than the reinforcing ribs 27, the latter being used to reinforce the receptor rather than to support it on the floor. The generally triangular shaped supporting rib 28 along with the spaced support feet 28A support the receptor on the floor. In this a regard a comparison of FIGS. 9 and 10 will show that the support rib 28 extends to a lower level than the reinforcing rib 27. Accordingly, the major portion of the bottom wall .22 is maintained in spaced relationship with the floor of the shower stall.

At the lowestmost point of the sloped bottom wall 22 theshower receptor 25 is provided with a drain opening 29. In the illustrated arrangement the drain opening is disposed adjacent the front splash surface and intermediate the opposed sides thereof. The use of the front drain facilitates cleaning and provides for above-the-fioor roughmg.

A plurality of spaced buttressing web portions 39 are located about the outer surface of the splash wall 23 to support or reinforce the laterally extending ledge 24. Such buttressing webs 31} are best seen in FIG. 11. Also a buttressing web 31 is integrally formed adjacent the free ends of the lip 25 as shown in FIG. 5.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a major surface area of the bottom Wall 22 has integrally formed or molded therein simulated tile-like construction '32. The simulated tile-like construction 32 is integrally defined in the surface area of the bottom wall by a plurality of intersecting grooves 33, 34 which are constructed and arranged so as to define therebetween raised land portions 32 to simulate a tile configuration. In the illustrated embodiment the raised land portions 32 are defined as substantially square sections; however, their shapes may vary according to design. To further insure a non-skid surface for the upper surface of the receptor, each of the respective raised lands or simulated tile constructions 32 are provided with a chamfered edge 32A extending about the periphery thereof. The chamfered edge of the respective simulated tile constructions 32 is best evidenced in FIG. 3. Thus, each tile surface area is provided with a plurality of angularly disposed facets about the marginal portions thereof which cooperate to define a non-skid floor surface for the receptor.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the simulated tile portion of the receptor may be framed by a slightly raised portion 35.

With the construction described an integral one piece all plastic shower receptor 20 can be readily formed of relatively inexpensive material in an economic and expedient manner. The construction is such that it is rigid, durable and light in weight and it is provided with a simulated tile, non-skid surface, which may complement the Walls and/ or floor of the bathroom. If desired, the all plastic receptor can be made in colors to complement the tile defining the'wall portions of the shower stall and/or adjacent floor areas. Accordingly, the plastic receptor as herein described replaces the lead pan construction heretofore utilized.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention the shower receptor 40 comprises an integrally molded shell substantially similar to that hereinbefore described. However, this form of the invention differs from that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12 in that the upper surface of the bottom Wall 41 is provided with a recessed portion 42 which is adapted to receive ceramic tile 43. Accordingly, ceramic tile 43 can be installed in the recess 42 provided in the receptor either at the factory by the manufacturer, or at the building site by the contractor. A suitable adhesive or binding material is utilized to set the ceramic tile to the bottom of the recess provided therefor. A suitable adhesive may comprise an epoxy mortar or cement with latex additives, flexible polyesters or urethanes that are suitable for setting the tile and grouting.

While the receptor shell constructions 20 and 40 herein described can be readily fabricated by a pre-mixed molding operation, the same may be readily manufactured or fabricated by means of a hand lay-up method or by a spray up method. In the hand lay-up method a relatively low cost mold of wood, plaster or reinforced plastic may be utilized. The layers of reinforcement, formed of woven fabrics, or a felted mat of glass fibres, natural or otherwise, and coated with a catalyzed resin, are built up in the mold by hand, the number of layers utilized being dependent upon the strength required in the finished product. In addition, the stress points of the receptor can be.

reinforced by extra layers. The polyester is catalyzed to cure at room temperature. The reinforcements utilized can be formed of woven fabric or a felted mat of glass fibres, natural or other synthetic fibres.

In the spray-up method, use is made of the same type fabricated by a casting method wherein the composition mix is poured into a mold, vibrated, and heat cured. Filler material and reinforcements can be added separately so as to control their location in the cast part.

From the foregoing it is to be noted that the shower receptor comprises an all plastic shell in which a tilelike non-skid surface of the receptacle is integrally molded in place therein in one form of the invention. In another embodiment, the receptor is recessed to receive a layer of ceramic tile with the latter being held in place by a suitable adhesive. Thus there is afforded a shower receptor construction which is rendered more attractive, durable, versatile and skid-resistant than the present known shower receptacles; and which is less expensive, easier to fabricate, and simple to install.

Accordingly, with the integrally molded receptor having set tile therein, the tile may be factory installed thereby affording a more efiicient use of time, labor, material and quality control. Also, it eliminates the need for hand grouting operations.

Also installation of the tile to the receptor is independent of any plumbers schedule, since it can be applied either prior to the placement of the receptor in the shower stall or at the time of installation so as to coordinate the tiling of the receptor with that of the bathroom tiling.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications of the same can be readily made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A shower receptor comprising an integrally molded shell adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said shell including a bottom wall and a connected substantially upright splash wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall, a drain opening formed in the bottom wall of said shell, said bottom wall being sloped in the direction of said drain opening whereby said opening is located at the lowest point of said bottom wall, said bottom wall having a series of spaced apart intersecting grooves formed in the upper surface thereof for defining therebetween simulated tile, said simulated tile having chamfered edges providing angularly disposed facets extending therearound to insure a non-skid surface for said bottom wall.

2. A shower receptor comprising an integrally molded shell adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said shell including a bottom wall and a connected substantially upright splash wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall, said splash wall terminating in an outwardly laterally turned flange to define a circumscribing ledge, an upwardly turned lip connected to the outer portion of said ledge, said lip extending about a major peripheral portion of said ledge, a drain opening formed in the bottom wall of said shell, said bottom wall being sloped in the direction of said drain opening whereby said opening is located at the lowest point of said bottom wall, said bottom wall having a series of spaced intersecting grooves formed in the upper surface thereof for defining therebetween simulated tile, said simulated tile having chamfered edges providing angularly disposed facets extending therearound to insure a non-skid surface for said bottom wall.

3. A shower receptor comprising an integrally molded shell adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said shell including a bottom wall and a connected substantially upright splash wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall, said splash wall terminating in a laterally turned flange extending outwardly therefrom to define a circumscribing ledge, an upwardly turned lip adapted to engage the walls of a shower stall connected to the outer portion of said ledge, said lip extending about the back and opposed sides of said ledge, a drain opening formed in the bottom wall adjacent the front portion of said shell, said bottom wall being sloped in the direction of said drain opening whereby said opening is located at the lowest point of said bottom wall, said bottom wall having integrally formed in the upper surface thereof a series of intersecting grooves to define therebetween a plurality of simulated tile-shaped lands, each of said lands having chamfered edges providing angularly disposed facets extending therearound to insure a non-skid surface for said bottom wall.

4. A shower receptor adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said receptor comprising an integrally molded plastic shell including a bottom wall and a connected substantially upright splash wall extending about the periphery of said bottom wall, a drain opening means formed in the bottom wall, said bottom wall sloping in the direction of said drain opening means, means extending below said bottom wall to support said bottom wall in spaced relationship to the floor of the stall, said splash wall terminating in a laterally and outwardly turned flange to define a circumscribing ledge, an upwardly extending lip connected to the outer marginal portion of said ledge along the back and opposed side of said shell, a plurality of ribs integrally formed along the bottom surface of said bottom wall for reinforcing the bottom wall of said shell, and a plurality of vertically disposed buttressing webs spaced about said splash wall for strengthening said ledge.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said bottom wall has integrally formed on the upper surface thereof a series of intersecting grooves for defining thereon simulated raised tile shaped lands, each of said raised tile shaped lands having a chamfered edge providing angularly disposed facets extending therearound whereby said raised lands insure a non-skid surface for said bottom wall.

6. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said bottom wall is provided with a recess in the upper surface thereof, a layer of tile set in said recess, and means for adhesively securing said tile within said recess.

7. A shower receptor adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said receptor comprising an integrally molded plastic shell including a bottom wall and a connected substantially upright splash wall extending around said bottom wall, said bottom wall having a drain opening, said bottom wall sloping in the direction of said drain opening, supporting ribs extending below said bottom wall in spaced relationship relative to the floor of the stall, said splash wall terminating in a laterally and outwardly turned flange to define a circumscribing ledge, an upwardly extending lip connected to the outer marginal portion of said ledge defined along the back and opposed side portions of said shell, said bottom wall having its upper surface recessed, a layer of tile set in said recess, and means for adhesively bonding said tile to the bottom of said recessed surface.

8. A shower receptor adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said receptor comprising an integrally molded plastic shell including a bottom wall and connected substantially upright splash wall portions extending along the front, opposed side and back edge of said bottom wall, said splash wall along its respective upper edges terminating in a laterally turned flange extending outwardly to define a circumscribing ledge, an upwardly extending lip connected to the outer marginal portion of the back and opposed side ledge portions of said shell, a plurality of ribs integrally formed along the bottom surface of said bottom wall for reinforcing said shell, a plurality of vertically disposed buttressing webs circumferentially spaced about said splash wall for strengthening said outwardly turned ledge, means for reinforcing the free front ends of said lips extending along the respective sides of said shell, a drain opening formed in the bottom wall of said shell at the lowest point thereof, said bottom wall having formed on the upper surface thereof a series of intersecting grooves for defining thereon simulated raised, integrally formed, tile shaped lands, each of said raised tile shaped lands having a chamfered edge extending therearound whereby said raised lands define a non-skid surface for said bottom wall.

9. A shower receptor adapted to rest on the floor of a shower stall, said receptor comprising an integrally molded plastic shell including a bottom wall and a con nected substantially upright splash wall extending along the front, opposed sides and back edge of said bottom wall, said splash wall terminating in a laterally and outwardly turned flange to define a circumscribing ledge, an upwardly extending lip connected to the outer marginal portion of said ledge along the back and opposed sides thereof, a plurality of ribs integrally formed along the bottom surface of said bottom wall for reinforcing said bottom wall, a plurality of vertically disposed buttressing webs circumferentially spaced about said splash wall for strengthening said ledge, means for reinforcing the front free ends of said lip extending along the respective sides of said shell, a drain opening formed in the bottom wall of said shell at the lowest point thereof, said bottom wall having a recess formed on the upper surface thereof, a layer of tile set in said recess, and an adhesive means for bonding said tile to said shell within said recess.

10. A shower receptor comprising an integrally molded shell defined by a bottom wall and a substantially upright splash wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall, a drain opening in the bottom wall of said shell, said bottom wall being sloped in the direction of said drain opening whereby said drain opening is located at the lowest point of said bottom wall, a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending beneath said bottom wall for reinforcing the latter, and supporting means extending from said bottom wall to a lower elevation than said reinforcing ribs for supporting said bottom wall above the general floor line in which the shower receptor is installed.

11. A shower receptor as set forth in claim 10 wherein said supporting means comprises a continuous rib extending over a major portion of said bottom wall and a pair of spaced support feet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,025,814 12/1935 Goss 4-146 2,230,393 2/ 1941 Thompson 52309 2,292,368 8/1942 Gordon 4146 2,400,683 5/ 1946 Burnett 52264 2,627,744 2/ 1953 Lopina 52309 2,737,693 3/1956 Robbins 52309 2,757,385 8/1956 Whittick 4-146 2,809,380 10/1957 Gruen 4145 2,958,402 11/1960 Sherron 52264 3,041,785 7/1962 MacDonald et al 52309 3,056,235 10/1962 Makray 52309 3,149,347 9/1964 Embroden 52264 SAMUEL ROTHBERG, Primary Examiner. H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SHOWER RECEPTOR COMPRISING AN INTEGRALLY MOLDED SHELL ADAPTED TO REST ON THE FLOOR OF A SHOWER STALL, SAID SHELL INCLUDING A BOTTOM WALL AND A CONNECTED SUBSTANTIALLY UPRIGHT SPLASH WALL CIRCUMSCRIBING THE PERIPHERY OF SAID BOTTOM WALL, A DRAIN OPENING FORMED IN THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID SHELL, SAID BOTTOM WALL BEING SLOPED IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID DRAIN OPENING WHEREBY SAID OPENING IS LOCATED AT THE LOWEST POINT OF SAID BOTTOM WALL, SAID BOTTOM WALL HAVING A SERIES OF SPACED APART INTERSECTING GROOVES FORMED IN THE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF FOR DEFINING THEREBETWEEN SIMULATED TILE, SAID SIMULATED TILE HAVING 